The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) is rolling out a project that will convert organic waste from sugarcane fields into animal feeds and fuel briquettes.
Based on the agency’s research, one hectare of land planted to sugarcane can produce 11 to 21 tons of agricultural wastes in the form of leaves and stalks, most of which are either left to rot in the field or are burned.
PHilMech developed a forage chopper and feed pelletizer that will process sugarcane tops into animal feed. About 13 formulations have been developed in the production of sugarcane tops silage.
However, proximate and nutritional analysis of the produced silage is still being done to determine the best formulation.
PHilMech executive director Baldwin Jallorina said utilizing sugarcane waste could result in additional income for farmers and cooperatives.
“In many rural areas in the Philippines, wood is still utilized as fuel for cooking which contributes to deforestation but with products like briquettes, rural households need not rely on wood anymore for cooking. Also, PHilMech is studying alternative or supplementary feeds for livestock and sugarcane wastes could be a raw material for silage as feed for animals,” said Jallorina
Data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration showed crop year 2017-2018, the total area of land planted with sugar cane in the country is at 418,257 hectares.
PhilMech is the government agency assigned to take the lead for the country’s agricultural and fishery mechanization programs by developing protocols and processes.
